Sierra Science Series presents Dan Millsap in a discussion about the (MPC) Magenta Drain–Passive Treatment System, Empire Mine State Historic Park. The presentation will be held on Tuesday evening, March 8, from 6:30–7:30 pm, in the Multipurpose Center, building, N-12. Come early and enjoy a meet-and-greet and refreshments at 6:00 pm.

(MPC)

In aerobic passive treatment systems, standard processes include iron oxidation and subsequent iron hydroxide settling, and sometimes as at Empire Mine State Historic Park (SHP) manganese oxide adsorption onto limestone. Arsenic is generally removed by adsorption onto the iron hydroxide solids and other trace metals can be removed by adsorption to manganese oxides. Empire Mine SHP’s aerobic passive treatment system came online in 2011. The passive treatment system was built to primarily remove iron, arsenic and manganese from mining influenced water discharging from a historic mine drainage tunnel (Magenta Drain). Treatment is accomplished by deposition of iron in the upstream portion and manganese in the downstream portion of the passive treatment system. In addition, some removal of trace metals, that may be present in mining influenced water (copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium), via adsorption mechanisms on to freshly-formed manganese dioxide. Over the last 4 years the system has exceeded expectations and has significant removal rates.

About our Presenter: Dan Millsap

Dan Millsap is a professional engineer for California Department of Parks and Recreation with well over 10 years of environmental engineering experience. He is the Department’s Manager of Environmental Remediation and has managed several remediation projects for Parks including the work at Empire Mine State Historic Park. Dan led the development of cutting edge remediation solutions that balance State Park’s mission to preserve and protect cultural and natural resources with remediation of legacy mining. He provides technical assistance and project management guidance for multiple districts for the Department and has a B.S. in Civil Engineering and maintains a Qualified SWPPP Developer certification.

This presentation is free, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The Nevada County Campus is located at 250 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945. Parking is $3 on campus and permits can be purchased at the kiosk machine at the main entrance to the campus. For more information about this presentation and others in this series, contact the series coordinator, Jason Giuliani at: jgiuliani@sierracollege.edu.